Neubrandenburg's milk bench: lifesaver for premature babies and sick babies!

Neubrandenburg's milk bench: lifesaver for premature babies and sick babies!

In northern Germany there is a valuable facility that benefits the smallest above all: the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer Clinic, which has one of the few women's milk banks in Germany. This special dairy kitchen aims to provide premature babies and sick newborns with vital breast milk, which their mothers can often not produce sufficiently. A healthy diet is of great importance, especially for these vulnerable babies, since breast milk contains nutrients and defenses that cannot be reproduced in industrial infant food. According to Nordkurier, the number of women's milk banks in Germany is about 50, including three in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, including Greifswald and Schwerin.

What exactly happens in this milk kitchen? Up to 200 portions of breast milk are prepared there every day, even over 400. In order to meet the strict hygiene requirements, the processing and storage of breast milk are carried out under the highest standards, similar to blood donations. The Frauenmilchbank has its own rooms that are only accessible to authorized staff, supported by a cleaner. The donated breast milk is collected in sterile containers, frozen and kept after a pasteurization to obtain their valuable ingredients.

The benefits for the smallest

The importance of donated breast milk, especially for premature babies, cannot be assessed highly enough. Studies show that these children who rely on breast milk suffer rarely from serious intestinal problems and infections and also have improved neurological development. Mothers of premature babies often have difficulty producing enough milk, which is why the women's milk bench is an indispensable help. The World Health Organization therefore expressly recommends using donated breast milk as the first choice if mothers cannot breastfeed. Data from Medicine Tübingen also contribute to this, which underline the positive effects of breast milk on the development of newborns.

A nice positive side effect: In the event of a recently carried out call for donations via social media, the women's milk bench was able to increase its stocks significantly, which shows that the community is behind this valuable initiative. Women who would like to donate can do so up to six months after birth, provided they have at least 200 milliliters of milk. Further information on the possibilities for milk donation is available on 0395 775-2958.

In a time when medical progress becomes increasingly important, it is calming to know that there are facilities such as the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer clinic that take care of the well-being of the little ones and rely on the importance of nature. The women's milk bench plays an essential role here and ensures that even the smallest patients get the best possible nutrition.